1) A British… Read Full Bio ↴There are several artists using this name, chronologically:
1) A British rock band (1967 - 1973)
2) A disco group signed to New York Salsoul Records (1970's-1980's)
3) A Spanish indie pop band (1991 - 1993)
1) Family was British rock band from Leicester, England, active between 1967-1973. Their music has been described as a masterful blend of Blues-Rock, Prog-Rock, Art Rock and Psychedelia.
Family's debut single "Scene Through The Eye Of A Lens/Gypsy Woman" was released by Liberty in the autumn of 1967. While the single received praise from critics, it received very little airplay, due to its rather complex, uncommercial nature. Family's debut album, Music in a Doll's House, was released in July 1968 and it was produced by Traffic's Dave Mason and Jimmy Miller on a 4-track machine at Olympic Studios, London. The band's line-up: Roger Chapman (vocals/harmonica/tenor saxophone), Charlie Whitney (guitars/vocals), Rick Grech (bass/violin/cello/vocals), Rob Townsend (drums/percussion), and Jim King saxophone/flute/harmonica/vocals). Bandleader Tubby Hayes and his brass section played on "Old Songs New Songs". An extraordinarily ambitious album, 'Music In A Doll's House' marked an audacious beginning of what was a rather mixed career for Family. Many of the sounds conjured up in the studio had never been heard before - more incredible given that the album was created on a 4-track. The band's ability clearly transcended the available technology. Chapman's unusual vibrating delivery did not appeal to everyone, but it's a remarkable voice all the same. The musicianship and the unusual arrangements on this album found favour with fans who regarded it as a rather surreal musical feast. Music In A Doll's House is a truly innovative album and years ahead of it's time. The album charted respectably in the UK (reaching No. 35 in the UK album charts) and received considerable airplay from well-known British radio personality John Peel. It did not chart in the US. Interestingly, Mike Batt got his first big break in record production on this album by arranging "Mellowing Grey".
Family's 1969 follow-up, Family Entertainment, toned down the psychedelics of their previous offering, and featured their first UK hit "The Weaver's Answer." For the 1970 release A Song For Me, they developed a more aggressive sound, gaining them a larger European following. That year they played at several major rock festivals including the Isle Of Wight music festival and Holland's Kralingen Festival. Both of which were included in the documentary films Message To Love and Stomping Ground. The next release, Anyway, featured a side of a live performance of new material at Fairfield Hall in Croydon, England, as well as a side of new studio recordings.
The bar was raised in 1971 with Fearless, but the band's biggest success was yet to come, in 1972's Bandstand, featuring hits "Burlesque" and "My Friend the Sun". This was followed by the underrated but enjoyable It's Only a Movie, where the band's sound was augmented by Tony Ashton of Ashton Gardner and Dyke on piano.
Family disbanded in 1973 and former members went on to play in the bands King Crimson, the Streetwalkers and Stud.
2) Family were a disco group who formed in the 1970's and released the single 'Music (Listen To The Music)', on the Salsoul label which was later re-released on the Suss'd 2007 compilation 'Deep Disco Culture Vol. 2'.
3) Family was a Spanish indie band active 1991-1993 formed by Javier Aramburu and Iñaki Gametxogoikoetxea. They released just one album in 1993 titled Un soplo en el corazón," a tribute to the film by Louis Malle. In 2003 Spanish magazine Rockdelux released an album with the same songs played by other Spanish bands to celebrate 10 years from probably one of the best Spanish albums of 90's.
Bolero Babe
Family Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To gaze at life's smiles, that's surrounding us
A flash from the past
But a look that won't last, will it babe?
And look at the space
And the change of a face as we see it go
Changing the style
That's been wrong by a mile, watch it babe
Light years from here
In one perfect line
How near
Yet how far
How near
Yet how far -
We've got thousands of ways
Of counting the days, as they pass us by
They're here then they're gone
And they won't linger on, will they babe?
And look at the space
And the change of a face as we see it go
Changing the style
That's been wrong by a mile, watch it babe
(REPEAT CHORUS)
The lyrics to Bolero Babe by Family feat. Roger Chapman are about reflecting on the passage of time and the impermanence of life, as well as the vastness of the universe and our place within it. The opening stanza speaks of the enormity of space and distance, suggesting that even though life may seem small and insignificant in the grand scheme of things, we are surrounded by beauty and joy. However, the line "A flash from the past but a look that won't last" reminds us that nothing is permanent and we must appreciate the present moment while we can.
The next stanza discusses different ways in which we measure time, but ultimately concludes that time is fleeting and we must not take it for granted. The chorus repeats the phrase "How near, yet how far" to emphasize the paradoxical aspects of life - how we can be close to something and yet still so far away from truly understanding it. The final line "Changing the style that's been wrong by a mile" suggests that we must be willing to adapt and evolve in order to make the most of the time we have.
Overall, the song encourages the listener to appreciate the beauty of the world around them, while also recognizing the fragility and fleetingness of life.
Line by Line Meaning
Just millions of miles
There are great distances that we have to travel
To gaze at life's smiles, that's surrounding us
To take a moment and appreciate the happiness all around us
A flash from the past
A sudden recollection from a previous time
But a look that won't last, will it babe?
But that momentary memory won't stay with us, will it?
And look at the space
Observe the vast distances between us and everything else surrounding us
And the change of a face as we see it go
And the transformation of features as things evolve and pass by
Changing the style
Transforming the manner in which everything moves and behaves
That's been wrong by a mile, watch it babe
That has been clumsily executed and we must be vigilant
I can see it shine
I can perceive it radiating brilliantly
Light years from here
Far beyond the distance of mere earthly measurement
In one perfect line
In one exquisite formation
How near
How close it seems
Yet how far
But in reality, how distant it truly is
How near
How close it seems
Yet how far
But in reality, how distant it truly is
We've got thousands of ways
We have a multitude of methods
Of counting the days, as they pass us by
To keep track of time as it moves past us
They're here then they're gone
Moments and events appear and then disappear quickly
And they won't linger on, will they babe?
And they won't remain with us for long, will they?
And look at the space
Observe the vast distances between us and everything else surrounding us
And the change of a face as we see it go
And the transformation of features as things evolve and pass by
Changing the style
Transforming the manner in which everything moves and behaves
That's been wrong by a mile, watch it babe
That has been clumsily executed and we must be vigilant
How near
How close it seems
Yet how far
But in reality, how distant it truly is
How near
How close it seems
Yet how far
But in reality, how distant it truly is
Contributed by Jake B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.